Discover Irsee: Monastery Culture, Trails and Ponds

Irsee offers a variety of reasons to visit: the monastery church and other historic sites, marked hiking trails, a cycling route and the Oggenrieder Weiher pond. You can easily match the topics that interest you most to the time you have available – from a stroll around town to a longer day trip.

Monastery Culture, Art and Remembrance

The Baroque monastery church was built between 1699 and 1703 and is now the parish church of St. Peter and Paul. Another distinctive church is St. Stephen’s, also known as the Upper Church: built in 1486, its tower is considered a landmark of Irsee. The Friends’ Association offers tours of St. Stephen’s and its tower for groups of up to 15 people for a donation of 20 euros. Please arrange the tour before your arrival.

The monastery church houses the Balthasar Freiwiß organ, consecrated in 1754 and a landmark of musical heritage. Since 1993, the Swabian Academy and the parish have regularly held organ vespers. The Art + Culture Trail, inaugurated in 2015, offers a different way to explore the town’s history: it leads to significant sites and contemporary works of art, and conveys the history of the monastery and village. The walk around town features 17 information boards and runs from Meinrad-Spieß-Platz to Oberes Dorf.

The cemetery of the institution behind the monastery church is also part of the town’s history. It includes a Nazi “euthanasia” memorial and a memorial site in the former mortuary of the Irsee sanatorium and nursing home. Dancing around the maypole is a long-standing tradition. During the ribbon dance, children from the primary school dance to music; afterwards, everyone eats and celebrates together.

Hiking and Cycling: Routes for Different Timeframes

The marked Crescentia Pilgrimage Route runs from Kaufbeuren via Bickenried to Irsee and on to Ottobeuren. Along the way, it follows an idyllic footpath through the “Hölle” (“Hell”). The traditional Swabian-Allgäu long-distance hiking trail from Augsburg to Sonthofen also passes directly through Irsee.

The marked Udo Circular Trail is described as a leisurely day hike. It runs from Irsee via Pforzen and Oggenried and is around 20 kilometres long. For cyclists, there is a different route and distance: the “Valleys and Heights Northwest of Irsee” cycling route is around 30 kilometres long. It runs via Blöcktach, Eggenthal, Lauchdorf, Baisweil and Oggenried, returning to Irsee. These details help you choose a hike or cycling route to suit the distance you want, without confusing the two routes.

Oggenrieder Weiher Pond and Brewing History

On the western edge of town lies the 1.4-hectare Oggenrieder Weiher pond, at an elevation of 728 metres. The naturally formed pond is partly bordered by trees and reeds and is fed by the Krebsbach stream. The stream rises at the Irsee springs and flows into the Wertach. The pond is used for swimming, and there is a separate paddling area for small children. It is officially an EU bathing water site. The excellent bathing-water quality rating refers to 2021; check current water quality, operating status and seasonal conditions before visiting. Klosterweiher pond, with a pontoon and an insect hotel, is also located in the nearby monastery forest.

The brewery museum offers an insight into local brewing history. There you can see the brewhouse with its copper kettles, as well as historic machinery, equipment, documents, beer glasses and mugs. The privately run Irsee Monastery Brewery still brews unfiltered, traditionally made specialty beers such as “Urtrunk.”

Getting There by Public Transport

For travel to Irsee by public transport, lines 5, 6 or 7 from the railway station to the “Plärrer” bus station are recommended, followed by line 26 to the “Irsee Kriegerdenkmal” stop. Bus services may change, so check the current timetable before travelling.

For the broader travel overview: Pforzen.